Arsenal: Lambasting Laurent Koscielny Shows His Stripes

Laurent Koscielny has lambasted his teammates for lacking the mentality to win. It is something that has plagued Arsenal for years and needs addressing.

The five-goal dismantling at the hands of Bayern Munich has brought about a vicious backlash regarding Arsenal’s second-half collapse. After Laurent Koscielny was forced off through injury, just 13 minutes later, Arsene Wenger’s side had conceded three goals, spanning just 10 minutes, and saw their slim hopes utterly demolished.

The first goal came through a thumping Robert Lewandowski after terrific work from the ageless Philip Lahm down the right flank. Just minutes later, and Thiago Alcantara latched onto a deft Lewandowski flick to steer home after Shkodran Mustafi was maddeningly communicating with Hector Bellerin, rather than tracking the Spaniard’s run. The third second-half goal came through a fire Thiago shot, deflecting off Granit Xhaka after Arsenal failed to clear a simple corner.

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Defeat was the expected result entering the Champions League tie, but the manner of the collapse was rather damning. Koscielny, himself, has heavily criticised himself and his teammates for lacking the mental fortitude to grind out the necessary results. In a stirring interview with RMC, the Gunners’ captain stated:

"“It is a mental problem. We have the technical and physical qualities. We must make efforts on a whole match. Against the big teams, it takes more than talent. It takes more commitment, helping his partner defend. We need to find other resources. On some games, we lacked the envy in the duels. We are in a complicated situation, we must remain united. We must have the hatred of losing.”"

They are rather strong comments from the central defender but they do not come without merit. The loss to Bayern is one of many in which Arsenal have crumpled under the pressure. The five-goal demolition came shortly after the 3-1 loss to Chelsea that all but ended the North London outfit’s slender title hopes.

The squad is certainly talented. There are excellent players in the team, with technical qualities and physical talents. However, sport is often won and lost between the ears, and it is something that Arsenal are yet to learn.

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Koscielny’s inspiring comments suggest that he and the players are aware of the mental fragility and are intent on addressing that fact. That is a positive response to the disappointments of recent weeks. But there is still work to be done as Arsenal aim to become serial winners once more. Thankfully, Koscielny is willing to encourage it in him and his teammates.

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